"Traveling with Nan is like traveling with your best friend while visiting great gardens..." - Amelia L.
Nan Sterman's Garden School presents
Portugal in Bloom
April 25 – May 9, 2027
Join me for 15 days exploring Portugal's extraordinary gardens, landscapes, and cultural treasures.
Space is limited. $1,000 deposit due December 15, 2026.
A personal invitation from Nan
Come discover Portugal with me
Portugal captured my heart when I visited last spring. The country's Mediterranean climate shapes the landscape, much like ours in Southern California. Centuries of history, culture, and creativity give its gardens a character all their own.
I fell for the native plants and rugged habitats, the warm hospitality, and the delicious cuisine, not to mention the wine.
On April 25, I'm going back, and I'd love for you to join me. We'll walk the gardens together, and I'll show you how plants, people, climate, and history have shaped this fascinating country.
Nan
Trip at a glance
When
April 25 – May 9, 2027
15 days, 14 nights.
Where
Lisbon, Sintra, the Algarve, the Alentejo, Porto, and the Douro Valley
Cost
$8,699 per person
Double occupancy. $1,000 deposit due December 15, 2026.
"The content was so comprehensive... It couldn't be more valuable!" - Karina S.
What you'll experience
Tour Highlights
- 01Monserrate Palace & Gardens | Sintra: wander the winding paths of lush Romantic gardens filled with exotic plants, surrounding an exquisite palace.
- 02Quinta da Regaleira & Pena Palace | Sintra: descend into mysterious grottoes, explore hidden tunnels, and discover gardens filled with botanical treasures.
- 03Lisbon's Botanical Treasures | Lisbon: see historic plant collections, stroll the Gulbenkian Gardens, and step inside the remarkable Estufa Fria greenhouse complex.
- 04Private Gardens & Wild Landscapes | Monchique and the Algarve: visit private gardens, see Mediterranean flora in the wild, and explore rugged mountains and coastal sand dunes.
The Alentejo, Porto, and the Douro Valley
- 05Cork Oak Forests & Historic Évora | Alentejo: walk among ancient cork oaks, watch traditional cork harvesting, and explore the historic streets of Évora.
- 06Quinta de Vilar d'Allen | Porto: step into a historic private estate with romantic gardens, magnificent specimen trees, and camellias.
- 07Serralves Park & Gardens | Porto: explore formal gardens and woodlands where art, architecture, and landscape meet.
- 08Vineyards & River Landscapes | Douro Valley: take in spectacular terraced vineyards, visit traditional wine estates, and cruise the Douro River.
Itinerary is subject to change.
"Visiting the gardens of Southern Spain with Nan Sterman was a revelation and a pleasure." - Lesley S.
Your escort
Nan Sterman
Horticulturist, garden designer, and author
You may know me as the host of A Growing Passion on PBS. Each year, I lead a tour to see interesting gardens and meet wonderful gardeners around the world, and many travelers come back for trip after trip. I'll be your escort for the whole trip. Along the way I'll explain what we're seeing, why it grows there, and what it means for your own garden back home.
- Host of A Growing Passion on PBS: eight seasons and five Emmy Awards
- Writing in Sunset, the Los Angeles Times, and the San Diego Union-Tribune
- Past tours: Australia, Spain, South Africa, England, and Japan
Why travel with this group
Behind the scenes
We go places most garden tours miss, from private gardens and estates to Portugal's famous public gardens.
Expert guides
Full-time guides plus local specialists at every stop.
Fellow plant lovers
You'll travel with people who stop to look at the plants, too.
From past travelers
Travel with friends who love plants
"Traveling with Nan is like traveling with your best friend while visiting great gardens in the company of other people that also enjoy visiting them. Great pace and fantastic outings. I highly recommend!"Amelia Lima, Landscape Designer
"Visiting the gardens of Southern Spain with Nan Sterman was a revelation and a pleasure. Nan combined visits to famous gardens with lesser known treasures, and interspersed visits to gardens with immersions in local culture. She augmented her own considerable knowledge by drawing on local guides, and created a lively and convivial atmosphere."Lesley Stern
"Two thumbs up for Nan's tours. We've enjoyed our England and Southern Spain trips with her and the garden design and plant people very much. The activities, accommodations, meals and transportation are excellent. We are signed up for another and look forward to the experience. Nan adds an element of expertise to the tours with her own extensive knowledge and research."Bracey and Richard Tiede, San Jose, CA
What's included
Your trip includes
- Hotels14 nights in 4-star hotels.
- MealsBreakfast every day, plus some lunches, dinners, and a cocktail party.
- TransportationLuxury motor coach for all ground travel.
- GuidesFull-time expert guides plus local specialty guides.
- CompanyNan as your escort, and fabulous travel companions.
- Not includedInternational airfare. FT/Carefree Vacations can arrange flights on request.
"The activities, accommodations, meals and transportation are excellent." - Bracey and Richard T.
Price and payment
Reserve your place on the trip
Trip dates: April 25 – May 9, 2027: 15 days, 14 nights.
Space is limited, and a minimum number of travelers is required for the trip to run.
$8,699 per person
Based on double occupancy.
$1,350 single supplement
Per person.
Payment schedule
December 15, 2026: $1,000 deposit, non-refundable.
January 25, 2027: final payment.
Good to know
Before you reserve
Active travel
This is an active tour. Plan to walk most of the day and handle simple trails.
Airfare
International airfare is not included. Flight arrangements are available on request.
Fares
Fares may change without notice and are not guaranteed until paid in full.
Cancellations
Cancellation penalties apply.
Itinerary
The itinerary may change.
Travel insurance
Strongly recommended.
Group size
A minimum number of travelers is required, and space is limited.
Questions before you reserve?
I hope you'll join me in Portugal
Reach out to me or to our travel specialists.
Travel arrangements
FT/Carefree Vacations
Travel arrangements by our exclusive team of specialists
CST #2079194-50
Join me in Portugal, April 25 – May 9, 2027.
Reserve your spot